Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 43:

In page 23, line 38, after “Oireachtas” to insert “and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media”.

Where the Minister has decided to remove a commissioner from office, as well as laying before the Houses of the Oireachtas a statement on the decision and the reasons for it, and given that so many documents get laid before the Houses, we suggest it would also be laid before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media. Again, that is to ensure that if there is an issue of significance or if there is a pattern that relates to other legislation or other concerns, that it would be appropriate that such a group within the Oireachtas would be aware of the Government's decision and the reasons for it. A document laid before a committee is more likely to reach the eyes of those who are relevant. We know there is great expertise within the committee, as we saw in the report it produced on this legislation. The purpose of the amendment is simply to suggest that the committee would also be notified, as well as the Oireachtas as a whole, where there has been a removal.